Mormon church member helps find others employment

Susan Melton of York County grew up in the Virginia Beach area, and converted… (handout, Daily Press )

December 27, 2012|Daily Press

Susan Melton of York County grew up in the Virginia Beach area, and converted to the church a little over a decade ago. She currently serves as an unpaid employment specialist for the Newport News stake, assisting members of the church and others in finding work.

What attracted you to become an active member of the church?

I had been a member of a local Baptist church for some years, but had become inactive. My husband and I met in the fall of 1990 and he has been a member of the (Mormon) church all of his life. I started going to church with him and learning more about the church and liked what I heard and saw. I had a life altering health issue back in October 2001 and shortly after that occurred, I became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Some of the things that impressed me about the church were how much importance is placed on marriage, raising your children in a righteous home, praying with your family as well as individual prayer, presenting a unified front for your children, leading by example, education and serving a mission. I was, also, impressed with the church's stand on charity and how it reaches to all corners of the world to help in times of disaster, whether from floods, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, etc. I enjoy the fact that our congregation does so much together, that we are able to meet and get to know everyone.

The church is run by laymen and women. We receive no compensation for the callings or jobs that we do within our church. My husband, Ron, and I have presently been called as stake employment specialists, along with other callings within our ward (congregation). As the stake employment specialists, we serve our brothers and sisters throughout the stake which consists of 14 different congregations in seeking employment. Sometimes it's a newly graduated person, a returned missionary, someone who has lost a job, or someone just looking for additional work. The church has a website dedicated to job searching. We not only serve members but non-members seeking employment. I am, also, an assistant to the compassionate service leader. In this capacity we help the ladies in our congregation in times of need, such as, setting up meals if they're sick, have had surgery, death in the family, rides to appointments, child care, etc. "Charity is the pure love of Christ" and that is our theme for our women's group called the Relief Society.

I have, also, in times past served as Relief Society president, ward librarian, Relief Society secretary, visiting teaching leader, family history assistant and serve as a visiting teacher to three sisters in our congregation. The Visiting Teaching program assigns a number of sisters to another sister and her companion and they are under their charge. As a visiting teacher you make sure the sisters are visited or contacted each month and all their needs are being met. If they are sick, we help in any way needed, such as, providing meals and looking after the children. If their husbands are deployed and they need help around the house or yard, we gather people together to help her. We get to know them, love them and serve them.

I love the way the church is established as Christ established his church according to the Bible and the Book of Mormon. I am always impressed how we all come together as a congregation for the betterment of all. We work within our communities and throughout the world to spread the Gospel. The missionary program is so strong for the young men and women and elder couples as well.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is foremost in all of the teachings, which a lot of people don't realize. No matter where you are in the world, if there is a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, they will be studying the same lessons that you would be studying if you were in your home ward. You are made to feel welcome no matter what Church you walk into.

All of the things mentioned above really attracted me to become a member in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You become a member of the church and actively participate in so many aspects of the church. It is a wonderful organization.

What are the challenges in your line of work?

If you are speaking of an outside job, not associated with the church, I have no challenges. I gave 37 years to the federal government as a civil servant, in numerous capacities, and retired in August 2006. When I was working, my religion had no impact on my job and presented no challenges.

What are the biggest misconceptions about the Mormon faith you would like to address?